AI Shopping Carts Spark OUTRAGE at Retailer

Wegmans’ plan to replace checkout lines with AI-powered smart carts might sound like progress, but for anyone tired of being steamrolled by the latest tech “solution,” it’s a whole new episode in the never-ending saga of corporate America trading common sense for Silicon Valley pipe dreams.

At a Glance

Wegmans is piloting Instacart’s AI-powered Caper Carts in four upstate New York stores.
The carts use cameras and AI to track purchases and let customers pay right from the cart, bypassing traditional checkout lines.
The chain previously scrapped its scan-and-go app due to losses but is doubling down on new technology to “improve efficiency.”
Employees are being shifted from registers to tech support and customer assistance roles.

Wegmans Bets Big on Robots, Not Cashiers

Wegmans, the once family-friendly supermarket chain that built its reputation on service, is piloting a fleet of AI-powered “Caper Carts” designed by Instacart in select upstate New York stores. These carts come equipped with cameras, digital scales, and sensors that automatically recognize what you throw in the basket, keep a running tally of your spending, and let you pay before you even leave the aisle. No more waiting in line. No more chit-chat with your local cashier. Just you, your groceries, and a glowing screen telling you how much you’ve spent—and how much you’re supposed to love this “frictionless” future.

But before anyone gets too excited about a world where the only thing standing between you and your groceries is a robot with an attitude, let’s not forget the recent past. Wegmans previously dumped its scan-and-go app after “losses,” which, in corporate-speak, usually means too much theft or too many glitches. Now, with these new smart carts, Wegmans is betting that expensive tech—not common sense—will finally fix everything that’s supposedly wrong with shopping the old-fashioned way.

Who Wins and Who Loses When Tech Takes Over

According to the company, the goal is to “enhance the in-store experience” while “improving efficiency.” Translation: cut labor costs and give customers the illusion of convenience. The truth is, not everyone wants to play tech support when they’re just trying to buy bread and milk. Shoppers who value real human interaction—or who just don’t want to wrestle with a buggy touchscreen—may find themselves longing for the days when a friendly cashier was the norm, not an exception.

Employees, too, are feeling the pinch. While Wegmans claims staff are being “redeployed” to help shoppers use the new carts, it’s obvious where this is headed. The more technology takes over, the fewer people will be needed at the front end. That’s good news for the bottom line but bad news for anyone who relies on these jobs to put food on the table. And let’s not pretend that all customers—especially seniors—are thrilled about exchanging a real person for an AI lecture on how to swipe a loyalty card.

The Real Cost of “Frictionless” Shopping

Wegmans isn’t alone in this race to automate. Other chains are rolling out similar technology, all chasing the promise of “efficiency” and “personalization.” But the reality is, every new piece of tech comes with a price tag—both financially and socially. Upfront costs for smart carts and the required infrastructure aren’t cheap. And as retailers become more dependent on customer data, privacy concerns are only going to grow. Do shoppers really want every move tracked and monetized? Is saving five minutes at checkout worth handing over even more personal information to faceless corporations?

For now, the pilot is limited to four stores: Dewitt (Syracuse), Perinton and Pittsford (Rochester), and Alberta Drive (Buffalo). Wegmans is even hedging its bets, testing smart carts from more than one vendor. The future of shopping, we’re told, is “seamless.” But for millions of Americans who remember when shopping was simple, this version of progress feels more like a hassle masquerading as a miracle. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to ask whether all this innovation is really about making life better—or just making it easier for big business to control every aspect of the customer experience.